Who we are

Salford Information Advice and Support Services (SIASS)In other local authorities we are known as Special Educational Needs Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS)

What we do

• SIASS provides impartial, free and confidential information, advice and support around all things relating to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including how this relates to education, health and social care.
• We work with families who have children and young people from 0-25 years old, and we do not require there to be a formal diagnosis of SEND.
• We provide direct work to parents and carers, and can work directly with young people over the age of 16 years old.
• We also provide information, advice and support to other professional organisations.

For more information, visit our directory record.

Who do we support?

• We support parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years old who have or may have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• We provide direct support to young people over the age of 16 years old who have or may have SEND.
• We work with other professionals such as schools, health, social workers, the voluntary sector and any other organisations that provide support to families with SEND.

How to access support

• Parents and carers can refer themselves to SIASS by using our online referral form, or by e-mailing.SIASS@salford.gov.uk
• Young people can refer themselves directly.
• Any professional can refer a family to SIASS, but they must have consent from parents/carers if the young person is under 16, and the young person if they are over 16.
• We operate weekly drop-ins, both online and at various Gateway locations throughout the city. For dates, email us or visit our Facebook page.

Where you can find us

• 1st Floor, Unity House, Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 5AW (office where we are based)
• SIASS work at various locations across the city and also from home.
• Weekly drop-ins, both online and in-person.
• SIASS are a city wide service and go into all schools, community groups, youth groups, etc.

How to contact us

E-mail: SIASS@salford.gov.uk
Our e-mail and referral inbox is staffed by a dedicated member of our team each day, and we aim to respond within 24-48 hours to all queries (excluding Bank Holidays and weekends).

We have two dedicated telephone lines where you can reach us: 0161 778 0343/ 0161 778 0349. These lines are rarely staffed as we are often out and about helping families but there is voicemail capacity, which are checked each day and we aim to respond to all messages within 2-3 working days (5 days at busier times). There are also details on our answerphone about national SEND charities that may be able to support families.

Core hours

SIASS operate Monday-Friday during normal office hours. SIASS closes for all Bank Holidays. There is a 365 day a year answerphone which has information to national SEND charities and organisations that may be able to help families outside of these times.